Deuteronomy 29:24
New International Version
All the nations will ask: “Why has the LORD done this to this land? Why this fierce, burning anger?”

New Living Translation
“And all the surrounding nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done this to this land? Why was he so angry?’

English Standard Version
all the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?’

Berean Standard Bible
So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

King James Bible
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

New King James Version
All nations would say, ‘Why has the LORD done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?’

New American Standard Bible
All the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done all this to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

NASB 1995
“All the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

NASB 1977
“And all the nations shall say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

Legacy Standard Bible
And all the nations will say, ‘Why has Yahweh done thus to this land? Why this great burning anger?’

Amplified Bible
All the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done this thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

Christian Standard Bible
All the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done this to this land? Why this intense outburst of anger? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done this to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’

American Standard Version
even all the nations shall say, Wherefore hath Jehovah done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

Contemporary English Version
People from other nations will ask, "Why did the LORD destroy this country? Why was he so furious?"

English Revised Version
even all the nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then all the other nations in the world will ask, "Why has the LORD done this to their land? Why is he so angry?"

Good News Translation
Then the whole world will ask, 'Why did the LORD do this to their land? What was the reason for his fierce anger?'

International Standard Version
All the nations will ask, 'Why did the LORD do this to this land? What is the meaning of this fierce and great anger?'

Majority Standard Bible
So all the nations will ask, ?Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger??

NET Bible
Then all the nations will ask, "Why has the LORD done all this to this land? What is this fierce, heated display of anger all about?"

New Heart English Bible
even all the nations shall say, "Why has the LORD done thus to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Even all the nations shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus to this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

World English Bible
Even all the nations will say, “Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Indeed, all the nations have said, Why has YHWH done thus to this land? Why the heat of this great anger?

Young's Literal Translation
yea, all the nations have said, Wherefore hath Jehovah done thus to this land? what the heat of this great anger?

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the nations said, For what did Jehovah thus to this land? what the heat of this great anger?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the nations shall say: Why hath the Lord done thus to this land? what meaneth this exceeding great heat of his wrath?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, all the nations would say: ‘Why has the Lord acted this way toward this land? What is this immense wrath of his fury?’

New American Bible
they and all the nations will ask, “Why has the LORD dealt thus with this land? Why this great outburst of wrath?”

New Revised Standard Version
they and indeed all the nations will wonder, “Why has the LORD done thus to this land? What caused this great display of anger?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the nations shall say, Why has the LORD done thus to this land? And why has his anger kindled so much?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all of the nations will say: ‘Why has LORD JEHOVAH done so to this land and why was this his great wrath enraged?.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
even all the nations shall say 'Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and all the nations shall say, Why has the Lord done thus to this land? what is this great fierceness of anger?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant in Moab
23All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. 24So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ 25And the people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.…

Cross References
1 Kings 9:8-9
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ / And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.’”

Jeremiah 22:8-9
And many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?’ / Then people will reply, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”

2 Chronicles 7:21-22
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ / And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, He has brought all this disaster upon them.’”

Jeremiah 16:10-11
When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’ / Then you are to answer them: ‘It is because your fathers have forsaken Me, declares the LORD, and followed other gods, and served and worshiped them. They abandoned Me and did not keep My instruction.

Jeremiah 5:19
And when the people ask, ‘For what offense has the LORD our God done all these things to us?’ You are to tell them, ‘Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so will you serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.’”

Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Isaiah 1:7
Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you—a desolation demolished by strangers.

Ezekiel 14:23
They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done all these things within it,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Lamentations 2:15-16
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” / All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”

Jeremiah 18:16
They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 21:6
“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:2
“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Romans 11:22
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

Even all nations shall say, Why has the LORD done thus to this land? what means the heat of this great anger?

1 Kings 9:8,9
And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? …

2 Chronicles 7:21,22
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? …

Jeremiah 22:8,9
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? …

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Anger Heat Meaneth Means Nations Outburst Reason Whence Wherefore Wrath
Deuteronomy 29
1. Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen
10. All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18. The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29. Secret things belong unto God














All the nations
This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of the observation. In the Hebrew text, "nations" is derived from the word "goyim," which refers to peoples or ethnic groups outside of Israel. Historically, Israel was set apart as God's chosen people, and their actions and the consequences thereof were meant to serve as a testimony to the surrounding nations. The inclusion of "all" underscores the comprehensive witness of God's dealings with Israel, suggesting that the events in Israel were meant to be a lesson to the entire world.

will ask
The Hebrew root for "ask" is "sha'al," which implies a seeking of understanding or inquiry. This reflects a natural human curiosity and a desire to comprehend the divine actions and their implications. The nations' questioning indicates that the events concerning Israel were significant enough to provoke international attention and reflection, suggesting that God's actions were not arbitrary but purposeful and meant to convey a message.

‘Why has the LORD done such a thing
Here, "the LORD" is the translation of "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel. The question "Why" indicates a search for the reason behind God's actions. This reflects a theological inquiry into the nature of God's justice and righteousness. Historically, God's actions towards Israel were often a direct response to their covenant unfaithfulness, serving as both judgment and a call to repentance.

to this land?
The "land" refers to the Promised Land, a central theme in the Hebrew Bible. It was a tangible sign of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. The land was not just a physical territory but a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The condition of the land was often seen as a reflection of Israel's spiritual state. When the land suffered, it was a sign of broken covenant and divine displeasure.

Why this great outburst of anger?
The phrase "great outburst of anger" translates the Hebrew "charon af," which literally means "burning of the nose," a vivid metaphor for intense anger. This anthropomorphic expression conveys the severity of God's response to Israel's disobedience. In the biblical narrative, God's anger is always just and is a response to sin and covenant unfaithfulness. It serves as a corrective measure, intended to bring about repentance and restoration. The "greatness" of the outburst underscores the seriousness of Israel's transgressions and the profound impact of their actions on their relationship with God.

(24) All nations shall say, Wherefore . . .?--The people of Israel are represented as asking a similar question in Jeremiah 5:19, "And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the Lord our God all these things unto us? Then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land; so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours." Compare also the warning given to Solomon after the completion of the Temple (marginal reference).

Verse 24. - What meaneth the heat of this great anger? The reply to this question comes in what follows (vers. 25-28).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the nations
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

will ask,
וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ (wə·’ā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

has the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

done
עָשָׂ֧ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this
כָּ֖כָה (kā·ḵāh)
Adverb
Strong's 3602: Just so

to this
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

land?
לָאָ֣רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

Why
מֶ֥ה (meh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

great
הַגָּד֖וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

outburst
חֳרִ֛י (ḥo·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2750: A burning, anger

of anger?’
הָאַ֥ף (hā·’ap̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 29:24 Even all the nations shall say Why (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 29:23
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